It has happened to many of us. Our child, relative, or friend accidentally or purposely locks an interior door and we can’t get in. This can be annoying and, in some instances, dangerous.
You may not have a key handy or the door may not even take a key. How can you get into the room without destroying the door?
What if you have just moved into a house and you find a closet that is locked? You need to get into this space and have access to the closet, what can you do?
We have composed a list of many ways that you can unlock a room door without a key. Following these tips will not only save your sanity and get you into a room, but they will keep you from destroying your property.
How to Unlock a Bedroom Door Without a Key?
Bedroom door locks are not designed for security, they are to allow an individual to get more privacy. Due to this, it is possible to get into the room with a little force or maneuvering.
To be able to disengage the lock you must first determine what kind of lock it is.
Generally, you will have a push button in the knob or one that will use a twist button to lock.
Then some locks are not designed for bedroom doors that people will use believing they offer more security.
Those, not made-for-bedroom doors are not more secure because they are not designed for the type of frame or lightweight door that they have been placed on.
Many different scenarios can lead to you needing to get behind a locked door. If you need to open a locked bedroom door then we will guide you on different ways that you can get the job done quickly and efficiently.
It is possible to unlock a bedroom door from the inside using materials in the house. You do not have to know how to pick bedroom door locks when you are locked out of a room.
How To Open a Locked Bedroom Door Without a Keyhole:
Interior or bedroom doors are not all the same. Some will take a key, while others will have a simple hole in the middle, and there are even some without any kind of hole but can lock.
Should your door be one that just has a small hole in the center, it is an easy fix.
With the use of a paperclip, skinny screwdriver, or some kind of long skinny item that will fit into the hole it is possible to push the locking mechanism.
Place the straight and skinny items into the hole in the middle of the doorknob. With a little force, push the item until you hear a click, this click is the locking mechanism. Once you hear the click the door will be unlocked.
How To Open a Locked Bedroom Door With a Card:
If your door has a lever-style lock, then a card will be the best tool to use to get in. When choosing a card it is important not to choose one that will matter should it get damaged.
Your debit, credit, or other similar cards will not be good options. During the process, they may become damaged and we wouldn’t want to be without them.
Your identification card or an insurance card is an ok option but could become bent or scratched.
Choosing a card such as a store reward card, library card, or other easy-to-replace card is best. These types of cards are quick to replace or can be used without a physical card.
To unlock the door is fairly simple. Slide your card in the gap between the door and the doorjamb.
To get it past the locking mechanism you may have to do some wiggling or maneuvering, but as you swipe your card and press against the latch the door will unlock.
For some doors, it is best to lean against the door so that there is a little pressure, that pressure may help to engage the lock more securely when you are sliding the card down.
It may take several tries to be able to catch the mechanism completely. Also, if it does not work when you slide the card down, try sliding the card up.
It is possible that the door is put together wrong or that you will get a better push on the latch with an upward swipe.
How To Open a Locked Bedroom Door With a Knife:
This method is very similar to the card method. It should also be noted that using a sharp knife will result in injury. For this, to work, you need a butter knife or spreader, something without a sharp blade.
You will place the knife between the door and the doorjamb, slide it down quickly while leaning against the door, and the door will unlock. It may take a couple of tries, or you may find that you need to slide upwards.
Note: Do not try those methods on deadbolt or electronic entry locks. It works only on interior locks.
Picking the Lock
Picking the lock sounds much easier than it is. There are several methods and generally, this will take a little more skill than sliding something to disengage the door latch.
For this to possibly work you will need an Allen wrench and an unbent paperclip with a crook in the end.
Place the Allen wrench in the lower edge of the keyhole. With slight pressure turn the lock as you would with a key. Pressure needs to remain stable and then place the paperclip into the lock.
Now there are two separate methods you can use:
1. The Scrubbing Method:
With this method, you will push the paperclip at the lower part of the keyhole and lift it back upward. Repeat this in a circular motion while steadily increasing pressure with the Allen wrench. Eventually, the lock will shift, and as you repeat this the door will unlock.
2. Pin-by-Pin Method:
Should the scrubbing method not work you can try this. Keep steady pressure on the Allen wrench and gradually place the paperclip in. As the paperclip comes into contact with the pin, attempt to catch it on the bend and lift upward until it snaps into place.
Repeat this with multiple pins until the lock will turn.
Remember: Those methods not going to work, if you have a bump proof lock
Removing Hinges
If none of the other methods were successful then removing the hinges may be another possibility. To do this you will need a flat-head screwdriver and a hammer or mallet.
Place the screwdriver at the bottom of the knuckle and the pin on the door. Tap the handle of the screwdriver in a downward motion.
Once they are loose enough, remove the head and pin. You will need to repeat this for all the hinges. This will not be easy and may take some force to complete.
Sometimes it is more successful to force the pinout using a Phillips head screwdriver.
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When Nothing Seems to Work
If you have tried everything to unlock the door and nothing is working, then you have some other options. One would be to kick in the door.
This may destroy your door, the doorknob, and the frame. It definitely should be the last resort and only in emergencies.
The other option that will work in emergencies, is to take out the lock with a hammer.
This will only destroy the doorknob and may place some dings on the door. For this take a hammer and repeatedly smash the doorknob.
This will break the doorknob from the door, effectively unlocking the door. The third option, which is less invasive is to use the claw of the hammer to pry the door open.
Use some sturdy cardboard to put behind the hammer so that you will not scrape the wall. Then you can wedge the claw of the hammer into the door where the latch is.
With some force, it may be possible to pry the door open.
Some damage may occur to the door doing this and you may have scratches or chip away the paint. Another thing to note is, that you could cause damage to the doorknob and may have to replace it.
Perhaps after such procedures, there will be a need to replace the lock with a new one. Check out our list of the mortise locks. And they won’t let you down.
What Are You Waiting For?
So now you know how to unlock a locked door without damage to your home. Practice these tips and tricks on your own so that when the time comes and it is an emergency, you can think clearly and get the job done.
No longer will your kids be able to lock you out. Your pets or relatives can’t accidentally keep you from getting into a room. You are now prepared to take on the possible event of being locked out of your bedrooms, rooms, or bathroom without stress.
You can rest assured that if a door gets locked, you will get in!
